Tarutao Marine National Park

Thailand's first marine national park, established as such in 1974, Tarutao lies off the coast of Satun Province and comprises 51 mountainous and forested islands, with caves, mangrove swamps and beaches strung along their shorelines. The dramatic beauty of the scenery is all the more striking when compared with the islands' history.

The word "tarutao" is derived from Malay and translates as old and mysterious, a reference to the legend that the islands were long hidden from the world and were to remain troubled after a curse was cast upon them by a beautiful princess wrongly accused of adultery. Whether one believes in the curse or not, it is a historical fact that the archipelago was for centuries a dangerous haunt of pirates, and an unsavoury reputation persisted into twentieth century when, between 1939 and 1946, Tarutao was a penal colony.

Perhaps largely due to this dark history, which kept the islands remote, Tarutao today is near pristine in its natu-ral beauty as can be found anywhere in the country. For the visitor there are various walking trails, fine beaches, superb views and much more to discover, including a comparatively rich fauna among which wild pigs, crab-eating macaques, dusky langurs and monitor lizards are all fairly common. The surrounding waters are home to dolphins and sea turtles, while whales and dugongs, although rare, have also been spotted.

Interesting in Satun Marine National Park

Walking trail

From the National Park Office on Ao Phante Malaka is a 12-kilometer walking trail which runs through greeny forest all the way to Ao Talowao. Several types of trees, wild animals, such as, wild boar and mouse deer, and birds, hornbills in especial, are found along sides this trail. An eight-kilometer walking trail starts at Ao Ma Lae ends at Ao Son, passing through virgin forest which several kinds of birds are found. Bird-watching is best here.

Boat rides on a long-tail boat around the island for eco-tourism is the recommendation. Boat service with guides are provided by the park for visitors to tour around beaches. The journey should begin with bird-watching on Chak Bay, going to see the longest white sandy beach on Tarutao Island at Son Bay, tracing historical trail on Talo Udang Bay, enjoying natural beauty on Talowao Bay, ending with diving and visiting mangrove forests.  For more information on a one-day trip, you can contact the tourist center at the office of Tarutao National Park.

Mu Koh Adang Rawi

Approximately 80 kilometres from town or 40 kilometers from the east of Tarutao Island is the location of this group of islands. Mu Koh Adang Rawi possesses amazing sandy beaches and coral reefs. There are several small islands around Mu Koh Adang-Rawi including Koh Li Pe, Koh Dong, Koh Hin Ngam, and Kao Yang. Diving can be found around Koh Adang and Koh Rawi. The area of Koh Adang is mountainous and covered with forest and has a large waterfall where water runs all year round.

Koh Li Pe

Koh Li Pe is located 2 kilometers south away from Koh Adang. This island is also the location of a sea gypsy village or well-known as Chao Le. On the 13th-15th day of the waxing moon in May and November, Chao Le would gather for a traditional celebration for 3 days and 3 nights. They would join in building a boat to float in the sea to in the belief that this would predict that fishing fortunes. The fame of the island is coral reefs, a beautiful bay, and a white sandy beach. The most graceful bay on this island is Ao Phatthaya. Private accommodation is available.

Koh Hin Ngam

This island is located on the southwest of Koh Adang. It is full of shiny black pebbles along its beaches. Koh Khai is located in the west of Tarutao Island, 40 minutes from Tarutao. The famous natural stone arch which is some-what of a symbol of Tarutao National Park is located on Koh Khai. Coral reefs can be found around the island. Camping is not allowed on this island but swimming can be done.

Diving and snorkeling can be done around Koh Cha Bang which soft-coloured flower corals lie underneath the sea. Deepwater and shallow-water snorkeling for antler coral and table coral is recommended around Koh Yang and Koh Kata. Snorkeling for hard coral is recommended around Koh Adang, Koh Rawi, Koh Kra, and Koh Dong 

The admission is 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children.

Accommodation in Satun

Accommodation in Tarutao National Park

Accommodation is available on Tarutao and Adang islands. For more information contact the Marine National Park, Forestry Department tel: +66 2561 2918-21 or Tarutao National Park, Tambon Pak Nam, Amphoe La-ngu, Satun 91110 tel: +66 7478 1285 and Tarutao unit tel: +66 7472 9002-3.

Getting There

Ferry boats depart normally from Pak Bara, 60 km. locating on north-west of Satun town, taking 1-2 hours for the trip. Boats may also be hored from the piers at Koh Nok, Tammalang and Chebiling, which are, respectively, 4 km., 9 km., amd 13 km. from Satun.

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